Revised Jun 7 2021
Friday, Feb. 8, 1788
1:00 pm Moderate and fair Weather.
3:00 pm This afternoon those who had never crossed the Line before underwent the usual Ceremony except ducking, which I never would allow for of all Customs it is the most brutal and inhuman. Twenty Seven Men & Officers were therefore Tarred & shaved with a piece of Iron Hoop, and the Officers to pay two Bottles of Rum & the Men One, which I promised to answer for, and gave every One a half pint of Wine as soon as the Business was over, & dancing begun.
Saturday, Feb. 9, 1788
12:00 am Clear Weather.
8:00 am Fine Weather and Hazy.
9:00 am Employed making Points & Cleaning below
12:00 pm Ditto Weather. Fore Top Mast Steering Sail set and going 7 points from the Wind.
Remarks at Noon: Thermometer in Air 81¾°